Symmetry of weight distribution in normals and stroke patients using digital weigh scales

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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to validate the use of digital scales in the measurement of weight distribution during standing and to compare measures obtained for groups of healthy subjects with those obtained for individuals with residual hemiplegia resulting from stroke. Ten young, healthy females, between the ages of 19 and 25, and 10 healthy, elderly females, aged from 61-83 were tested along with a third group of 10 hemiplegic subjects of both sexes, who were aged between 47 and 70 years. Validation of the scales was performed with standardised weight measures throughout the recording range before subject data were obtained. Weight distribution was normalised as a percentage of body weight. The results showed wider variability for the stroke patients compared to healthy subjects. Asymmetry ratios, indicating the degree of asymmetrical weight bearing, were also calculated and it was found that the values for the stroke subjects were two times greater than the normal values. Although some difficulties were experienced with the application of the apparatus, digital scales, with the easy to read, locked-in, numerical display, posses considerable potential as a useful clinical method of assessing standing weight distribution following stroke and in other patients with unilateral disturbances of lower limb weight bearing.

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